The Long Gallery, Chapters Six and Seven (standard:drama, 2084 words) [4/6] show all parts
Author: Brian Cross	Added: Dec 07 2014	Views/Reads: 2128/1655	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Daisy Truman inherits a large country estate. But why has she been given precedence, and what are the secrets lurking inside Harvest Hall?

Chapter Six 

William Weston sauntered into the kitchen of his St John's Wood home,
glancing at his fiancée, Jane. ‘Coffee?' 

‘Tea, if you wouldn't mind.' She dropped her magazine on the table, sat
back on the chair, arms folded, her facial expression told him she 
wasn't happy. ‘You know, considering you've lost out on a house worth 
millions, you don't seem too concerned.' 

William dropped his gaze to the ceramic tiles, to where the chair was
being balanced on two legs. ‘I do wish you wouldn't do that; it 
scratches the floor.' 

Jane fixed her eyes on him, returning the two front legs to the ground.
‘Sorry.' 

William poured water into the kettle, and realising Jane's eyes were
still fixed questioningly on him, sighed. ‘Why should I be concerned? 
I've got a nice house in an upmarket area, enough cash to keep me 
comfortable, including a tidy sum by way of grandfather's inheritance, 
a stunning fiancée and a decent lifestyle.' Spreading his hands wide, 
he added, ‘Now why would I want that rambling old property and the 
hassle that goes with its upkeep?' 

Jane Lafarge rose elegantly to her feet, her long, strong legs carrying
her quickly to his side. She pinched his cheek. ‘Thanks for the 
compliment.' She turned astride of him, resting her back against the 
worktop, fingers lightly tapping the drawers. ‘But I still don't 
understand. Surely your claim to the estate would have been the 
strongest; certainly more so than your grandfather's niece – Daisy – 
Daisy Truman is it?' 

‘Yes – well ...' William poured water into the pot, leaving it to brew –
‘It really doesn't matter.' 

‘Ah ...' Jane crooked her neck, examining his face closely, and when
William frowned, said, ‘Why, do you go the teeniest bit red? Is there 
just the faintest edge to your voice when her name is mentioned? She is 
very pretty – that figure, that long mop of curly fair hair – there 
wouldn't happen to be a soft spot ...' 

The cup rattled in its saucer as William placed it down heavily. ‘You do
say the most ridiculous things, sometimes. How could you suggest such a 
thing? She is my cousin after all.' 

Jane smiled, swept back her long red hair and traced a finger down his
cheek. ‘It wasn't so much of a suggestion, dear – merely an 
observation. There's no need to act so defensive. There is a certain 
similarity between you two, when all said and done – same tousled fair 
hair – same blue eyes ...' 

‘You ignore certain differences, like the fact that I'm half-a-foot
taller than she is – anyway enough of her,' William retorted sharply, 
waving the subject away. ‘I don't like where this is leading.' He 
poured the tea with less than a steady hand. 

‘We've never been the closest of cousins you know,' William mumbled,
finding it difficult to drop the topic now Jane had introduced it. He 
handed the cup and saucer to her. ‘There were times I wish she had of 
been consumed by her so-called magic garden.' 

‘What?' Jane smiled quizzically, revealing the faintest of crow's feet
around her eyes. 

‘The magic garden we called it – or she did. She had the most vivid
imagination.' William sat opposite and took a sip from his cup. ‘There 
was a part of the garden partitioned off – secluded, sunken. It 
contained a ring of stone animals that dominated the place – still does 
actually – and I guess you could say they are somewhat hideous. Anyhow, 
Daisy was convinced they came alive at nightfall and would devour her 
if she weren't indoors quickly enough. Mind you, she could run like 
fury, still can – phenomenal energy – but she was terrified of the 
figures, and yet she wasn't frightened of the forest, where there were 
stories of the local riff-raff congregating. I never saw any myself, 


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